Rotary engine.



m N m p e s d an t n e t a P N E UN m AE E Y 0" u .0 FR 5 5 2 00 6 m N (Application filed May 28, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

Patented Sept. '10, I901; F. A. HEADSON ROTARY ENGINE. (Application filed. May 28, IBQO.)

(No Model.)

3 s akers-sheet a.

EL%/////Z UNITE STATES EETcE.

PATENT FRANK A. HEADSON, OF LAFAYETTE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO LEO POTTLITZER, HERMAN POTTLITZER, MAX POTTLITZER, AND JULIUS POTTLITZER, OF SAME PLACE.

ROTARY ENGINE.

SPEGIFIQATION fo'rming part of Letters Patent N 0. 682,255, dated September 10, 1901.

Application filed May 28, 1900. Serial Nn. 18,222. (No model.)

To to whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK A. HEADSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lafayette, in the county of Tippecanoe and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to that class of rotary engines in which there is a rotatable piston arranged so as to rotate axially in the cylindrical bore of the main portion and by fluidpressure, such as steam under pressure.

It relates, further and finally, to the means by which the steam is cut off at any point in the stroke or rotation of the piston, all of which will more fully hereinafter appear.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, economical, and efficient rotary engine with means for cutting off the steam at the desired pointin the stroke.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rotary engine with a rotatable piston adapted to rotate adjacent to a steam-pocket in the main frame or projection thereof, having cut-off valve mechanism arranged therein to vary the size of the same and cut off or admit steam at any desired point in the stroke or rotation of the piston.

Further objects of the invention will appear from an examination of the drawings and the following description and claims.

The invention consists principally in the combination of a cylinder provided with a steam pocket or chamber therein or in a projection thereof, a piston rotatably mounted therein and adapted to cover and uncover the steam-pocket, and mechanism for varying the size of such steam pocket or chamber.

The invention consists, further and finally, in the features, combinations, and details of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal sectional elevation of an en gine constructed in accordance with these improvements, taken through Fig. 2 on line 1 looking in the direction of the arrow; Fig. 2, a cross-sectional elevation taken on line 2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow;

Figs. 3 and 4, sectional details taken on lines 3 and 4, respectively, of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 5, a developed plane surface view of the valve-casing looking at it from the outer or upper side; Fig. 6, a plan view of the inner side of a segmental valve bushing or projection looking at it from below; Fig. 7, a developed plane surface view of the periphery of the rotatable piston; and Fig. 8, a developed plane sectional view of the rotatable piston, taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

In constructing an engine in accordance with these improvements a main frame portion CL of the desired size, shape, and strength to support and contain the operative and other mechanisms in position for use is provided. The shape of this engine when viewed in side elevation is preferably rectangular, as shown in Fig. 1, and of a substantially cylindrical contour when viewed in cross-scctional, end, or front elevation, as will appear from an examination of Fig. 2. The frame portion is bored out to a suitable diameter and extends from end to end, so as to present when all other parts are left out of consideration a perfect cylindrical chamber,which is termed the operating-chamber b. This chamber is'closed at each end by means of two cylindrical heads 0, secured to the main frame by means of bolts, as shown clearly in Fig. 1. Attached to the outer side of these heads are flanged hubs d, which furnish the bearing portions in which the journals of the main rotatable shaft 6 are mounted. This cylinder portion is preferably provided with an inlet-passage f and an outlet-passage g, arranged in such manner that the motive fluid, such as steam, is permitted to enter the operating-chamber and exhaust therefrom at the proper time or times, as will more fully hereinafter appear. Arranged within the operatingchamber is what I term a segmental valve-bushing 7t, which is provided with a steam pocket or chamber t. This steam-pocket practically forms a continuation of the inlet-passage, as is shown very clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. To provide for the conversion of the energy generated into the work doneviz., the rotation of the main shafta piston j is provided and securely mounted upon the main shaft, so as to rotate therewith and be rotated thereby. The longitudinal axis of this piston is coincident with the axis of the operating-chamber, so that when considered together and without reference to the segmental valve bushing or projection the operating-chamber forms, substantially, an annular operating-chamber. When the valve-bushing is in position, as shown in Fig. 2, the piston has its peripheral surface arranged so as to rotate adjacent to the valve-chamber therein to open and close communication with such chamber and the operatingchamber at the desired time or times. This piston is provided with two wing portions 70, let into radial wing-grooves in the piston and parallel to or in line with its axis. These wing portions are loosely mounted in the grooves of the piston-head and are kept at the outer limit of motion by means of the fluid-pressure,which enters in and behind the same through the steam-passages, (shown particularly in Fig. 4,) which will be more fully hereinafter described. As the piston rotates these wings contacting the cam or chamfered surfaces Z of the valve-bushing are moved in wardly or permitted to be moved outwardly, according to the position they occupy, as shown particularly in Fig. 2. It is desirable that communication between the valve-chamber of the valve-bushing and the operatingchamber of the cylinder be made at desired times during the rotation of the piston. To this end the piston is provided, preferably, with two ports or passages m, extending through it and arranged diametrically opposite each other. WVhen viewed in flat plane, (see Fig. 7,).these passages appear somewhat S-shaped and have two openings arranged in different vertical planes. One set of the passage-openingsthat to the right, as shown in Fig. 7is the inlet thereof and is arranged to be brought into allnement with the valvepocket during the rotation of the piston and permit steam (see Figs. 2, 3, and 4) to pass from the valve-pocket therethrough into the operating-chamber between the bushing and one of the wings, the action of which tends to rotate the parts. In the figures above noted the steam is just entering the passage m at the top and passing out into the operating-chamber. As the piston continues to rotate it will take more steam and continue to take steam for the entire length of the valve-pocket, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3,unless some means be provided to out off the full pressure of steam at any point intermediate the length of that pocket, which is substantially one-fourth the rotation of the piston.

To cut olf the steam whenever desirable or necessary, the steam -pocket, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, is provided with one inclined facethat to the right side thereof. A cutoff valve is arranged in such pocket and of substantially the same shape as the pocket, but somewhat smaller in size, so that when it is moved longitudinally across the pocket in one direction it diminishes in size, and when movedin the other direction it increases in size. As the piston-passage rotates adjacent to this, as shown particularly on line 3 of Fig. 6, the movement of the cut-0E valve to the right tends to diminish the time during which the engine takes steam, and the continued movement will practically cut off all steam from entering the operating-chamber of the engine. A movement in the opposite direction causes the size of the pockets to be enlarged, and the continuation of the movement to the extreme limit of motion, as shown in Fig. 6, will enable the engine to take steam at its maximum time-practically one-fourth the rotation or one-half thestroke. As the piston continues to rotate (see Fig. 4) the wings are carried by the exhaust-passage 9, so that the steam which enters the operating-chamber between the wings may pass out through the same and through the exhaustpipe, as shown in Fig. 1.

To operate the cut-off valve at the desired time or times, the main shaft is provided with a ball-governor formed of a frame n, which has two arms, each carrying a centrifugal lever 0, the free ends of which are weighted and the opposite ends of which engage with a sleeve or collar 13, longitudinally movably mounted upon the main shaft. The valverod g leads from the cut-off valve out through one of the heads of the engine and engages a swinging lever 1', which is pivotally secured to the engine-frame and has its free end portion engaged with the sliding collar above noted, so that as the main shaft is rotated centrifugal force is developed and the balls moved outwardly and the collar moved to the right,all of which tends to diminish the size of the valve-chamber. The opposite movement of the governor-balls causes an opposite movement of the parts and an enlargement of the valve-chamber.

- It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the engine or movable parts thereof is provided with the usual packing to pre-.

Vent leaking of steam, and thus minimize the waste usual to this class of mechanisms unless so packed.

In describing the steam-pocket as contained in an independent segmental valve-bushing it will be understood that it is not necessary to confine this pocket to a bushing or that the bushing be made separate from the main portion of the cylinder. The bushing is merely placed in an independent and separate manner to facilitate the boring of the cylinder; but it will be readily seen that it can form an integral portion of the cylinder that is, be cast therewiththough the finishing of the interior bore cannot be as easily or as economically accomplished as when made separable. I do not therefore wish to be understood as being limited to an independent bushing, but merely use the terms bushing and segmental valve-bushing to define the particular element shown, described, and hereinafter claimed.

I claim- 1. In an engine of the class described, the combination of a cylinder provided with inlet and outlet passages and a steam pocket or chamber connected with the inlet-passage, a piston rotatably mounted therein adapted to cover and uncover the steam-pocket, a stationary inward projection upon the cylinder extending to and in contact with the rotatable piston, and means for varying the size of the steam-pocket to regulate the cut-off of steam, substantially as described.

2. In an engine of the class described, the combination of a cylinder provided with inlet and outlet passages, a piston rotatably mounted therein, a segmental valve-bushing or project-ion inserted between the piston and the cylinder and provided with a valve-pocket which the rotatable piston covers and uncovers during its rotations, and means for varying the size of the pocket to regulate the cutoff of steam, substantially as described.

3. In an engine of the class described, the combination of a cylinder provided with inlet and outlet passages, a substantially segmental valve-bushing arranged in the operatingchamber of the cylinder and provided with a valve-pocket, and a piston rotatably mounted in the operating-chamber of the cylinder and provided with a passage or passages arranged to be brought in alinement with the valvepocket of the bushing and cover and uncover the same during the rotations of the piston, and means for varying the size of the steampocket to regulate the supply of steam, substantially as described.

at. In an engine of the class described, the combination of a cylinder provided with inlet and outlet passages, a substantially segmental valve-bushing arranged in the cylinder and provided with a steam-pocket forming a substantial continuation of the inlet-passage, a piston rotatably mounted in the cylinder and provided with passages extending through the piston and opening in different vertical planes to cover and uncover the-valve-pocket during the rotations of the piston and permit the introduction and cutting off of motive fluid, and valve mechanism in the steampocket for varying the size of such pocket and thus control the cut-off of the motive fluid, substantially as described.

5. In an engine of the class described, the combination of a cylinder provided with inlet and outlet passages, a segmental valve-bushing arranged in the cylinder and provided with a steam-pocket forminga practical continuation of the inlet-passage, a piston rota= tably mounted in the cylinder adjacent to the valve-pocket in the bushing and provided with two or more passages extending through the piston and having their openings in different vertical planes-one opening of which is adapted to register with the valve-pocket and permit the introduction and cutting off of the motive fluid at desired times, and a valve in the steam-pocket arranged to be operated by a mobile part of the engine to cut off the motive fluid at the desired time or times, substantially as described.

6. In an engine of the class described, the combination of a cylinder provided with inlet and outlet passages, an operating-chamber having a projecting or bushing portion therein, which portion is provided with a valvepocket forming a practical continuation of the inlet-passage, a piston rotatably mounted in the cylinder and provided with a passage extending from one portion of its peripheral surface to another and through the piston so that such surface covers and uncovers the inlet-passage to permit the introduction and cut-off of the motive fluid, a valve longitudinally movably mounted in the valve-pocket to vary the size of the valve and thus regulate the cut-off of the motive fluid, and ballgovernor mechanism for moving said cut-off valve as the piston is rotated, substantially as described.

FRANK A. IIEADSON.

Witnesses:

GEO. M. FORESMAN, J 1:, HANNAH MEYER. 

